Buffon ponders break from football after spurning PSG offer

Gianluigi Buffon could spend a year out of football after turning down Paris Saint-Germain’s lucrative offer of a second season because he did not want to watch from the bench.

Italy legend Buffon parted ways with the Ligue 1 champions following the end of his maiden campaign in France.

The 41-year-old agreed with the club not to pursue the option of a further 12 months despite having the opportunity to take up an extension at Parc des Princes.

Buffon, who spent 17 years at Serie A giants Juventus, has since been linked with a return to former club Parma, while Primeira Liga side Porto are reportedly considering him as a potential replacement for Iker Casillas.

But the World Cup winner’s interest in pursuing coaching or a possible director of football role means he is in no rush to decide on the next move.

“PSG told me five months ago that I would be the second goalkeeper next season,” Buffon told Corriere dello Sport. 

“I had plenty of time to think about it and I came to the conclusion that this was not for me, so I gave up a lot of money and a one-year option.

#CHAMPI8NS pic.twitter.com/xvZpqltFkp

— Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon) May 18, 2019

“Their request was absolutely legitimate, understandable and was an attractive offer. 

“However, at the age of 41, I have this almost physiological need to feel sensations. Emotions translate into energy, dreams, the feeling of being part of something.

“Today I find myself in a situation like last summer, in an extraordinary state of serenity, in a state of total relaxation where everything is open and it could all end in twelve months or in fifteen days. 

“Some good proposals have arrived, but if I don’t have the right motivation I can decide to take a year all for myself, all mine. One year of education.”